Chapter 170 First Arrival at the Brothel

Chapter 170 First Arrival at the Brothel

After the incident was over, Jiang Huaiyu led several soldiers back to the military camp to report.

Before leaving, he made sure to stuff a few packets of sunflower seeds and peanuts into his pocket.

Seeing this, Jiang Yutang stuffed another case of beer into his hand and whispered, "Hide it well and drink it carefully, don't let your captain find out."

Upon hearing that there was wine to drink, the group immediately perked up and thanked Jiang Yutang profusely.

As she watched the group leave, she shook her head helplessly, carrying her beer crate with light steps.

Cigarettes and beer are the standard companions for lonely men.

Back in the tent, Jiang Yutang told her family everything that had happened that day, including Li Tongpan.

Jiang Jiuze frowned: "Prefect Li? I've been traveling around Danzhou for a long time and have never encountered this person."

"They're probably hiding in some corner, making a quick buck."

As Jiang Sumin fiddled with the abacus, he continued his sarcastic remarks: "How could such a corrupt official truly serve the people? He's probably just hiding in his mansion drinking and indulging in pleasure every day."

“I do have some recollection of it,” Jiang Songzhi suddenly said, frowning as he carefully recalled.

“A few days ago, I was on my way to teach the children at the private school when I happened to overhear two sedan chair carriers chatting. They seemed to be saying that Magistrate Li had gone to a brothel in the west of the city and only came out of it in a daze just before dawn, unable to even sit properly in the sedan chair.”

"brothels?"

Jiang Yutang was somewhat surprised. She had been in Danzhou for so long, yet she had no idea that such a place existed in this impoverished region.

However, after the initial surprise, she quickly made up her mind.

"He must frequent that place. Why don't we start with the brothels? The women who serve him might know something about his private affairs or clues about his collusion with others."

Everyone agreed that this idea was reasonable and nodded in approval.

"So here's the question," Jiang Yutang said with a mischievous grin, looking at the group, "who's going to the brothels to gather information?"

The tent fell silent instantly; no one made a sound.

Jiang Songzhi spoke first, his tone apologetic: "As a private tutor, I already have a wife and children, so it is really inappropriate for me to frequent such places of pleasure."

Following that, Jiang Jiuze shook his head and explained, "I used to serve in the capital. Although I have been demoted, there are still many people watching me. If I go to such a place rashly, it is easy for people to find something to use against me."

Jiang Huaiyu had duty in the military camp and couldn't keep going out.

In an instant, all eyes in the tent fell on the fourth brother, Jiang Sumin.

He was unmarried and in charge of the accounts, so he rarely went outside the walls and didn't attract attention.

That's the best choice!

Jiang Sumin was unconsciously fiddling with the abacus beads, lost in thought, when he realized that everyone in the tent was staring at him, and he immediately sat up straight, feeling uncomfortable.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? You don't want me to go, do you?"

Seeing his panicked and surprised expression, Jiang Yutang couldn't help but mutter to herself.

What's there to be afraid of? She's curious about that kind of place, but unfortunately, she's a woman and has no chance to go in.

Just then, Dr. Xu's face suddenly flashed into her mind.

She curled the corners of her lips into a wicked idea, which began to take shape in her mind.

Jiang Yutang coughed lightly to help Jiang Sumin out of the predicament: "Fourth Brother is simple-minded and not very quick-witted. If he goes to a place where all sorts of people mingle, he will easily reveal his flaws and arouse suspicion."

She paused deliberately as she spoke, then stood up, bowed her head, took two symbolic steps, pondered for a moment, and made a helpless expression.

"How about this, I'll dress up as a man and go with Fourth Brother, so we can look after each other."

"ah?"

A gasp of surprise erupted from inside the tent.

Madam Yun objected outright: "No way! How can a young lady like you go to such a filthy place? Your reputation will be ruined if word gets out!"

Jiang Shengan also advised gently, "That kind of place is dangerous. Your brother and the others can go. Why are you going to join in the fun?"

“Father, Mother, what time is it?” She straightened her back and said righteously, “We are investigating Magistrate Li so that the people of Danzhou can live a peaceful life. What does it matter if I sacrifice my reputation? Besides, I am a woman disguised as a man, and no one can recognize me.”

Looking at her determined eyes, her family felt that their daughter had such spirit, while they were too concerned with trivial matters.

Yun finally nodded.

No one paid any more attention to the bewildered Jiang Sumin, and the matter was settled just like that.

Before the operation, Jiang Yutang went to see Doctor Xu and told her all about her plan to disguise herself as a man and infiltrate the brothel, asking her to help her pack.

Upon hearing this, Dr. Xu was initially taken aback, but then his eyes revealed admiration.

"Miss Jiang is more courageous than most men."

She took out her best-fitting blue long gown and the jade crown that held her hair in place.

“My men’s clothing is all made of proper materials. You’ll look like a rich young master if you wear it.”

Dr. Xu was very skillful; in no time, he tied up Jiang Yutang's long hair and then used an eyebrow pencil to slightly modify her eyebrows, adding a touch of heroic spirit.

Jiang Yutang looked into the bronze mirror and saw a young man with fair skin, red lips, and delicate features, who really did look like a nobleman.

"Oh my, I didn't expect you to be such a good makeup artist, Dr. Xu. I think we don't necessarily have to keep this clinic open. How about we open a beauty salon for you instead?"

Dr. Xu didn't respond to her teasing, but carefully straightened her collar, his tone full of concern.

"Be extremely careful. If things go wrong, get out of there immediately."

"Don't worry." Jiang Yutang winked at her, then, supporting her jade crown with one hand, jogged off to find Jiang Sumin.

When Jiang Sumin saw her like this, he was stunned for a moment, and then his mouth twitched.

"How about it? Don't you have a particularly scholarly air about you?" Jiang Yutang spun around smugly.

Jiang Sumin, however, poured cold water on the idea, saying, "He doesn't look like a scholar; he looks like a young pageboy beside a scholar."

He stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "Strange, why does this look so strangely familiar..."

Jiang Yutang didn't have time to argue with him and urged him to take the token for entering and leaving the camp.

Under the cover of night, the two carefully made their way to the brothel in the west of the city.

As soon as I reached the street corner, I saw a row of bright red lanterns hanging at the entrance of the brothel, their warm yellow light making the entrance appear particularly ambiguous.

Three brightly dressed women stood at the door, holding thin silk handkerchiefs in their hands, and beckoning passersby with their sweet, cloying voices.

"Young master, please come in and rest. We have fine wine and music inside."

"A few new girls arrived yesterday, would you like to come in and take a look?"

Beside the carved railing on the second floor, several women were leaning against each other. Some were playing the pipa lightly, while others were giving flirtatious glances to passersby downstairs and singing seductive tunes.

Jiang Yutang watched curiously and looked up at the second floor. Unexpectedly, a fragrant white handkerchief was gently patted on her face.

"The young master is truly handsome!"

A woman in pink walked over quickly, grabbed her wrist, and said softly, "Come in with me, I'll sing you the most beautiful song."

Just as Jiang Yutang was about to break free and turn to look for Jiang Sumin, she saw that he had already been entangled by two other women and was being carried into the courtyard in a clumsy manner, like a zombie.

She lowered her voice and hurriedly called out, "Fourth Brother!"

Jiang Sumin turned his head with difficulty to look at her, and silently squeezed out two words: Save me.

Jiang Yutang: ......

"Young master, don't just stand there." The woman in pink gently shook her arm, and a fragrance wafted over. "Look, your brother has already gone in. Let's hurry, or we won't get any good seats."

Jiang Yutang could only follow the woman's lead and walk inside.